Summer officially begins Wednesday and while some public agencies are on seasonal break, others face significant decisions this week.

That’s notably true of Lee County commissioners, who have several south Lee matters on their agenda Tuesday -- highlighted by a potential deal to acquire one of the most significant environmental properties in the region, Edison Farms.

Also on Tuesday, Marco Island’s search for a new city manager progresses with consultants having now presented names of nine potential semifinalists and the City Council set to discuss the recommended candidate pool at a special meeting.

Naples City Council is off for several weeks for summer break before its next scheduled meeting in August.

Lee County Commission

Lee commissioners and voters who have supported the continuation of the tax-supported Lee Conservation 20/20 land acquisition and preservation program should be proud to date of their accomplishments.

Another crowning achievement would be adding the wetlands-rich Edison Farms property, about 4,000 acres east of Interstate 75 flanking Estero and Bonita Springs.

When Lee commissioners meet at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday in chambers in downtown Fort Myers, they will have a tough but urgent decision whether to accept the current landowner’s offer to sell the property at above appraised value.

According to county records, the developer is offering the property to Lee’s program for about $49.5 million, which exceeds three appraisals that county staff received from certified appraisers whose figures came in at $35.1 million, $37 million and $42.4 million. In addition, the lender who currently owns the property through foreclosure wants the deal closed by Oct. 30 and for mineral and access rights to remain with those now holding them, including Barron Collier Resources and Collier Land and Cattle Corp., county records show.

To proceed on the above-appraisal proposal to acquire this critical water recharge and wildlife habitat tract, it would take a vote of four of the five commissioners.

Lee commissioners’ decision bears close watching in Collier where county leaders are working to re-energize their land acquisition and preservation program. Edison Farms is an example of how delays in acquiring property will drive up costs, even by circumstances beyond the control of elected leaders.

In November 2011, Lee commissioners offered $26.5 million to acquire Edison Farms but weeks later the property went into foreclosure and the offer to sell the tract was withdrawn.

Meanwhile, Lee commissioners have other key matters before them Tuesday affecting the southern part of the county:

+ A potential lawsuit settlement over a south Lee mining application that county leaders denied is before commissioners. According to records, property owner Estero Group LTD is seeking more than $10 million while associated costs, including legal fees, could drive a jury verdict to $15 million or more. A $6.5 million settlement is under consideration that would put 318 acres of wetlands restoration property into the county’s hands in the area of the low-density, water recharge area known as the DR/GR.

+ Spending $1.5 million to acquire right of way for widening 4 miles of Alico Road from Ben Hill Griffin Parkway to Airport Haul Road.

Municipal meetings

+ Marco’s council meets at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in the community room, 51 Bald Eagle Drive, to review the top nine candidates for its vacant city manager position. Eight are out-of-state administrators with an assistant city manager from Hollywood in South Florida also among the top choices on a consultant’s list.

+ Estero’s council meets at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at Village Hall, 9401 Corkscrew Palms Circle, to complete candidate interviews, then discuss and appoint a new member to fill the District 3 council member vacancy created by a councilman’s serious illness. A proposed bid package to provide roadway and landscape design services for Estero Parkway is also on the agenda.

+ When Bonita Springs City Council meets at 9 a.m. Wednesday, its topics include the future of the old Weeks Fish Camp property, budget transparency and how the city is doing in complying with its “government lite” pledge made during incorporation.